PROVIDENCE – The nonprofit Children’s Friend has opened an early-childhood center in the city’s West End after a $6.2 million renovation of the former Asa Messer Elementary School.
The facility, which is now called the Children’s Friend Althea Street Center of Excellence, is now providing full-day schooling to about 120 Head Start students, ages 3-5. The center – located at Althea Street and Union Avenue – features seven refurbished classrooms, community meeting spaces and a new playground.
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Children’s Friend said construction on the school, which was closed by the city in 2012, began in November 2018. The project got underway with a $4.9 million grant from Federal Head Start, secured with assistance from Rhode Island’s congressional delegation.
The nonprofit forecasts that by the end of the school year, more than 500 low-income individuals and 50 moderate-income families in the city’s West End will have received services from Children’s Friend at this site, including child care, Head Start, Early Head Start, mental health services and other basic needs. There will also be meeting space for community groups and professional-development training.
“Parents need access to and the support of dependable, high-quality and affordable early education,” Children’s Friend CEO and President David Caprio said in a news release. “Children’s Friend is here to help. We are investing in these kids who hold so much promise to help them meet their academic and economic potential.”
Children’s Friend operates other early-childhood centers in Providence, Pawtucket and Central Falls.
The nonprofit said the new Center of Excellence will provide the West Broadway Neighborhood Association and the West Side Play Space with a designated play space for activities. The West Side Play Space is a co-op that provides a safe, welcoming space for children – from infants through age 5 – and their families for play, learning and community building.
“Quality early-learning opportunities [such as] those offered by Children’s Friend at their new Center of Excellence help prepare students for success on their first day of school and beyond,” Mayor Jorge O. Elorza said in a news release. “Data clearly shows these programs make a difference for students and help close the achievement gap that families in need face. It is moving to see partners such as [the West Broadway Neighborhood Association and the West Side Play Space] coming together to support such an important community resource for our youngest residents.”
